it's myYYYYY PREROGATIVE!

     Professional, tasty and straight- forward are three words that best describes my blog site.  With an African-American professional woman, dressed in a classy business suit, this is one blog that you won’t forget. I chose a dark pink layout so the fine bold print would stand out.  Also, pink is most popular for being a feminine color. I decided on Times New Roman and Courier New so the readers of my blog wouldn’t pass it by due to clarity. Memorized by neon colored photos, creativity and the uniquely planned event, I’m assured that you will leave my blog with some sort of inspiration. Don’t be a stranger, your thoughts and comments are welcome.

       MICHELLE OBAMA! This African American woman is EVERYTHING inspirational.  She has painted a picture for us as black women.  Many have stereotyped us in so many negative ways.  Ms. Michelle has tremendously helped change some peoples mind about our character and we as individuals.  Let’s keep it real.  The average face of a black woman is predicted to be ghetto, have long hair extensions, long artificial eyelashes, loud and unintelligent.  She came to the limelight with natural hair, a nice figure and a humble personality- collectively, the natural package.  If I ever get a chance to say anything to her, it would be THANK YOU.  Though she hasnt presented anything physically or mentally to me, in my opinion I feel she has made it a lot easier on us as black women.  Ms. Michelle is the face of NBPRS (WOMEN RULE) Brunch.  She’s smart, professional and a powerful woman who has capability to run the world.  And to add, she’s an okay public speakerJ

100%creativity but 75% science:a working progress

     Okay, I will start by saying that PR is both, an art and science. Before Professor Kinchlow's Introduction to Public Relations class I never knew. Amazed, shocked, surprised and appreciative were feelings combined that I had after the first two weeks of that class.  Now, I have a new profound love and knowledge about what PR exactly is.  You can do so much with your PR: lobbying, image consulting, speechwriting, public speaking, advertisement, marketing, event planning (my favorite) and much more.  I developed a genuine respect for the field of PR and no one will take that away from me.  At most times, in journalism, PR professionals are disrespected. Were the ones who don’t know how to write or the ones who can only promote.  Surprise!!! They thought wrong. The science is all about the methods, strategy models and communication and the creativity is all about the uniqueness and making sure your craft is memorable in a remarkable way. 

  Craft. It is what you make it. Currently, I am still shaping and forming my craft.  Creativity is not a problem.  I have always been the outcast or the person who’s referred to as ‘extra.’  How much is extra anyway?  Uniqueness gives life to anything you’re doing.  I’m the girl in the hall way with yellow high-waist pants, a purple metallic top, American flag clogs and geek inspired glasses.  I may wear three or four necklaces depending on how I’m feeling that day.  I know you may be thinking- why so much?  That’s the key.  I always want to leave people remembering and talking about what I’ve worn.  Similar to anything centered around PR, if you can’t reach your people, YOU HAVE FAILED.  Create buzz in any way, a creative way and you won’t lose.

    Honestly, my scientific side is on its way.  I have two more semesters to make the best of it.  You can never know enough about PR.  The strategies, planning, communication models and etc. are what I’m perfecting in class every day. I’m learning the steps to reach a target audience, how to speak effectively to them and processes used to satisfy them or their organization. Not your typical homework assignment folks, its business.  Professor Kinchow has always told us that we can swam or sink, we have the control.  Continuous work and effort is what I will put forward because life jackets are a bad fashion statement.  I’m swimming!  I'd like to give a special thanks to my dear friend LaToya Chambliss, a public relations graduate of FAMU.  She has helped me so much in many ways.  I look up to her because she has been through so many struggles throughout her college life and she never sank.  Nothing seemed to defeat her no matter how hard the class, assignment or task was.  So thanks again Toya, I love you.

IM JUST SAYING

     Ok, where can I start? The blogs I had a chance to visit were not bad at all. They all could use some touch ups but nothing life threatning. I was surprised to see that some of my classmates have great creativity and they write well too. It feels good to know that Im in a class with collegues every other day that all have alot to offer. This assignment was a learning tool that was needed. Blogs are an expression of you. You cant judge a book by its cover and I can say, I was really impressed. Once this class is over we will be well prepared to blog and perform greatly on any social network. Thanks, Professor Kinchlow;)

     The first blog I took a peak at was Mr. Christopher. It was everything I thought it would be. Chris seems to be a bright, professional, intelligent black man who loves public relations. He writes very well and has a wide vocabulary. We are both planning a event for the same client which makes my skin crawl. Not in a bad way, but it motivates me to do my best because Chris is good. Our events together could be a blast. We could bring out hundreds of professional PR women and could start a franchise. I feel our events has the power to do so, maybe I will be in contact.

     Bryce, it was nice! You have great imagination and humor. I think your event is one that I would love to see in the real world. Planning back to school events can be stressful because you have to deal with so many students and parents. You have to make sure there intrested so they wont seek attention in other schools and so much more. Im confident that Bryces' event will do so. If we could, I would host my brunch at his event for all African American college girls who are intrested in PR. They could come out get information about school, extra-cirricular activities and public relations. I may give Bryce a call.

A New Beginning

    

      Once this chapter is started, there is no turning back. Women have never been considered as the dominant sex. We have the power to succed, women rule! This chapter, if started could unite public relations African American women so they can work together to change, communicate and network through the PR world in Leon County. It is crucial that us as PR women stick together to strive, thrive and bleed public relations in order to stand out in this compettitve job market we live in.

     Throughtout the country, NBPRS is expnading and developing. The few PR women of Tallahasse who are sponsoring the event wants all PR women to reap the benefits and opportunities from this network. 250 women is the total number of memebers needed to start a chapter. Once started, the memebers will recieve a 10,000 grant from the statewide national chapter and each memeber will receve a t-shirt, memebership card( grants exclusive discounts worldwide) and a free trip to Atlanta to visit the NBPRS Foundation Center.

     Every NBPRS chapter serves as a womens movement. Sure enough each memeber are professionals but they are also advoctes. Any group of African Americans engaging in positive things, will impact our equals and motivate them to change. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, said Martin Luther King. My plan is to turn this brunch into a effective PR tool to establish the first National Black Public Relations Society of Tallahassee.

THE WEDDING PLANNER

    On June 14, I attended a high school friend’s wedding in Tallahassee, Fla. Nikki and James Morgan joined each other in holy matrimony after twelve years of love.  Nikki discussed marriage with James throughout high school frequently.  After raising two kids and living together for five years they decided to get married.  I decided to attend this event because I’ve known the two since I was in early grade school.  I know how much they love and care for one another so I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it.  Also, Nikki had been planning the wedding for four years so I was interested in seeing the outcome.

      Pulling up at a big church on the Westside of Tallahassee, ours cars were valeted in a large parking lot.  Before you could reach the inside of the church there were greeters at the door to escort you to your seats.  Everyone had a program lamented in metallic paper that was placed in our seats.  The decorations consisted of white chairs, shiny chandeliers, glass dove sculptures white flowers and much more.  The wedding planner and greeters were all dressed in knee length white gowns with pearl earrings with nametags.  The wedding party walked down the aisle on one accord and they left the same. 

      It was about 250 people in attendance.  Two months before the wedding Nikki started to tweet about it, sent messages on facebook, she started up a photo gallery site and sent out invitations. About one week before the wedding I received a wedding reminder in the mail, it resembled a postcard.  It was shiny, colorful and the letters were bold.  That material was effective because it came a week before, it was colorful so I didn’t lose it and I looked at it often because of the bold print .  For my event I’m going to use that idea because I think it played a large part in having a great turnout.

 

FUTURE Aspirations

      Throughout my public relations journey, I have had several opportunities, classes and experience that I’ve used to help prepare me for the field. To start, introduction to public relations class was one class that taught me the foundation of public relations.  In this class I learned that PR is not only an art but it’s a science.  This class has grounded me and sharpened my knowledge on what I’m going to use my PR degree for.  Now, I’m enrolled in public relations communications learning how to create fourteen traditional PR tools that will be included in the media kit for the NationalBlackPRSociety( WOMENRULE) Brunch.  The backgrounder, a tool used to give the history about the client, is one of my favorite. I feel this tool is effective because it gives us as the practitioner a chance to showcase the client in a creative way.

       During my sophomore year, I got involved with Public Relations Student Society and the National Association of Black Journalist.  I served as PRSSA treasurer my junior year and event planner.  I planned our first annual Haunted House October 2011 at the Southside Library and the turnout was a success.  NABJ made it possible for me to intern with Speak Publishing Company and Tally Biz Magazine.  While working with SPC, I served as the PR publicist and I also planned a book release party for Michael D. Beckford, author of “Dying to be Straight.”  Tallahassee’s own, Tally Biz Magazine has been the most entertaining internship thus far.  I interviewed Brianna, Poe Boys Entertainment princess and rapper Trina from Slip and Slide Records my second week at the internship. Currently, I’m the social media specialist which requires me to tweet, blog, facebook and stay current with trending topics in the media as it is related to Tallahassee business.

     After graduating in the spring of 2013, I plan to attend graduate school and get a masters in communications. I have always wanted to own an event planning agency.  I love the art and creativity that goes into the process of planning an event.  To better prepare myself I plan parties, baby showers, workshops, banquets and any other event that involves planning.  In addition, I would also like to be a counselor at a girl’s home or institution. Building relationships with girls and responding to their needs is something I’ve always been interested in.  To get hands on experience, I volunteer at Disc Village for Girls as teen counselor every Thursday and Friday.